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Black History: Caribbean Ancestry Records Tell You More Than You Think

Sunday 25th October 2026

Most family history clues are hiding in plain sight. Discover how records, maps and Black history reveal more than you think.

Many people tracing Caribbean ancestry focus on finding records but overlook the clues hidden within them.

Family historians often concentrate on collecting documents, certificates and census entries without realising how much information those records can contain. Small details that appear insignificant at first can sometimes reveal unexpected family connections, explain long-standing mysteries or cast familiar family stories in a completely new light.

In this online talk, genealogist and author Paul Crooks explores how looking beyond the obvious can transform the way family history is understood. Drawing on a documented family case study, he demonstrates how discoveries often emerge from clues that are easy to overlook and how Black history can provide valuable context for understanding what those discoveries mean.

Paul Crooks is a genealogist, author and speaker specialising in Black history and African-Caribbean ancestry. He is known for one of the earliest documented reconstructions of African-Caribbean ancestry from the Caribbean to Africa using archival records, tracing his own ancestry from London to West Africa via Jamaica.

His work explores themes including ancestry, identity, migration, slavery, emancipation, Windrush and the interpretation of historical records. He is the author of A Tree Without Roots: The Guide to Tracing British, African and Asian-Caribbean Ancestry and the novel Ancestors. His research has been featured by the BBC and has helped thousands of people better understand their family histories and ancestral connections.

This session forms part of a wider series of evidence-led talks exploring identity, history and the interpretation of historical records. It is designed to help attendees develop a more informed approach to family history research and gain greater confidence in understanding the stories hidden within the records they already possess.

Who This Talk Is For

• Anyone tracing Black British or African-Caribbean ancestry who feels stuck or unable to move forward
• Those whose family records do not line up or appear to contradict each other
• People who have reached a dead end and want to understand why
• Anyone questioning whether further progress in their research is still possible

What You’ll Gain

• A clearer understanding of why your records sometimes stop making sense
• A more confident way of thinking about your next steps in ancestry research
• Greater awareness of the clues hidden within historical records
• A stronger sense of what is still possible in your search

Event Details:

Start Time: 7:00pm
Finish Time: 8:00pm

Tickets: From £5.00

Location: Online

Ticket packages include optional digital resources such as the African–Irish–Creole Caribbean Culture Guide, Descendants eBook and DNA Testing Demystified.

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